Local News

Taunton crossing guard fired after alleged ‘physical altercation’ with parent

Louis Chaves, 68, of Taunton is facing multiple charges.

June 3, 2024

1 minute to read

A crossing guard in Taunton was fired Monday and is facing charges after an alleged physical altercation with a parent outside the high school, WCVB reports.

Louis Chaves, 68, of Taunton, is charged with three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after allegedly using his stop sign stick and foot to strike a parent.

Authorities allege that a parent was in a vehicle with her child, stopped at an intersection outside Taunton High School when she sneezed and was trying to find a tissue, according to the station. Chaves allegedly yelled at her to keep moving and then put his stop sign stick through the passenger window of the car, swinging it, and striking the child in the arm.

“When the parent got out of the vehicle and confronted this defendant about the assault, that’s when the defendant started to attack her with a stop sign stick, eventually throwing her to the ground,” prosecutors said in court on Monday, according to WCVB. “(She) stated while she was on the ground, she was dragged and kicked repeatedly by the defendant. She did have multiple abrasions and lacerations on her arm.”

In a statement released to WCVB, Taunton Public Schools said it is “aware of a physical altercation this morning (June 3) involving a crossing guard,” adding that the employee was fired, effective immediately.

According to WCVB, Chaves was released following the arraignment and as he was leaving, he allegedly lunged at, kicked, and struck news photographers outside the building. He is due back in court on Aug. 8.